No indication Forte will be out long

But Bears to bring in ex-Texan Slaton for tryout Saturday just in case

September 15, 2012|By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter

The Bears are preparing to add depth at running back but are optimistic Matt Forte will not be sidelined long with a right ankle injury.

Packers safety Charles Woodson rolled up on the back of Forte's right foot along the sideline in the third quarter of the Bears' 23-10 loss Thursday night at Lambeau Field. Forte had the foot taped but quickly retreated to the locker room after it was determined he couldn't make cuts.

There is no indication, however, that Forte will miss extended time, and the Bears have extra time to prepare for their next game Sept. 23 against the Rams.

The Bears will bring in free agent Steve Slaton for a workout Saturday at Halas Hall. A third-round pick by the Texans in 2008, Slaton rushed for 1,282 yards as a rookie with nine touchdowns. But he played in only 29 games over the last three seasons as injuries have taken a toll. The Dolphins released him in their final cuts.

The Bears have only two running backs besides Forte on the roster: Michael Bush and Armando Allen. Harvey Unga is on the practice squad but unlikely to be promoted because he has been shifted to more of an H-back role.

Tricky business: The fake field goal the Packers executed for a 27-yard touchdown reception by tight end Tom Crabtree is the same play the Bears used in 2002 at Lambeau Field when tight end Dustin Lyman scored on a 12-yard pass from holder Brad Maynard in a 30-20 Bears loss.

"It's kind of a universal fake," Bears long snapper Pat Mannelly said. "They fake you on the outside and throw that underneath pitch. A lot of teams use it because it has a lot of success if you execute it right and get the right look against you."

The right look was key for the Packers. Mason Crosby was lined up to try a 45-yard field goal from the right hashmark. The Bears had a block called and overloaded their right side with seven of the 11 defenders. That gave the Packers the numbers they were seeking on their right.

"Frankly, fourth-and-26 was not the plan (for when to call the fake)," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I really called that for different reasons. We've been working on that for two or three years, and we were looking for a certain look from the Bears. They gave it to us."

Rush hour: Bears players will review game film Saturday at Halas Hall, and the defense should grade out fairly well, particularly the line that generated five sacks of Aaron Rodgers. First-round draft pick Shea McClellin had 1 1/2.

"It is kind of like a weight lifted off your shoulder to get that (first NFL sack)," McClellin said. "Now it's out of the way. I don't have to worry about getting the first one. I haven't thought about a (sack-total) goal. I just have to keep getting better, and we'll see what happens."

Corey Wootton also was disruptive with more playing time and had a half-sack to add to the full one he posted in Game 1 — his first since he dumped Brett Favre on the final play of the quarterback's career with the Vikings in 2010.